MEMBERS of a York health and fitness club have hit out after discovering its outdoor pool will close during the day during April.

David Lloyd York's pool will open for only eight hours daily this month, with it shutting between 10.30am and 4 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at 4pm on Wednesdays, and at 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Members Al Swales and Cathy Smurthwaite both contacted The Press to complain about the changes. Mr Swales said he had renewed his membership in February, expecting to be able to continue using it during the daytime as he had for the past 11 years as a member. "Members are up in arms about this," he claimed.

A spokeswoman for David Lloyd Leisure said she was sorry to learn some members were unhappy with the timetable change.

She said the company had undertaken a comprehensive review of all its pools, taking into account several factors such as club size, member count and usage, to determine current patterns and to 'see where we were able to achieve environmental objectives as part of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint with minimal impact on members.'

She said the pool opening would increase to 12 hours a day in May and claimed the company went to great lengths to ensure members were fully aware of terms and conditions, including those around seasonal facilities such as outdoor pools. "Alternatively, members have access all day to the club’s indoor pool."